Golden Arrows' Reserve Team coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi says coaching was not his first career choice

Golden Arrows' triumphant Reserve Team coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi never thought he would go into coaching after ending his career as a player.

Vilakazi steered Arrows to a second MultiChoice Diski Challenge title in three years last Sunday following a 2-0 win over Orlando Pirates in Tembisa.

Vilakazi, who helped Abafana Bes'thende win the MTN8 in 2009, initially retired from playing in 2013, and the next season the club was relegated from the Absa Premiership.

He was then coaxed out of retirement to play for and assist head coach Shaun Bartlett as Arrows sealed an immediate return to the topflight in 2014/15.

Vilakazi then transitioned to coaching full-time and is encouraged to have claimed MDC honours twice along with his assistant, former Arrows captain Papi Zothwane.

“Seeing this success, it encourages me and I know for a fact that it’s not about me, it’s about the club,” Vilakazi tells KickOff.com.

“I’m still a young coach that is still learning but it is nice when you are learning and there’s achievements at the same time, because that tells you not to give up what you are doing and you are on the right track.

“Ever since I started coaching three years ago I’ve never felt like I made a wrong choice in my career, even though when I started it I wanted to be involved in the management side, such as a media officer and stuff, and that is what I saw myself doing, not as a coach.”

Vilakazi, who holds a CAF C licence, had three jobs at Arrows in 2015/16 when the Durban-based outfit returned to the PSL. He was the club’s media officer, Diski coach and also assisted then-head coach Serame Letsoaka.

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